Editorials

This is the time of year when Kingston really shines.
The preparation for the Fourth of July has been going on all year, but the week before is a blur of activity.
Crews are out trimming along the lakefront, the American flags have been posted on the main streets. Set up for the thousands and thousands of people who come in for a great, small-town fireworks show — and more — is under way.
It’s great that Roane County has such an option.

By GENE POLICINSKI
First Amendment Center
Whatever your thoughts about the controversial Fred Phelps family and their Westboro Baptist Church — and for most Americans, those thoughts are negative — the group continues to find ways to grab headlines and public attention.
In the wake of the death June 20 of Ryan Dunn, a star of MTV’s “Jackass” programs, in a traffic accident, Westboro promised to appear yesterday in Dunn’s hometown, West Chester, Pa., at public memorial service.

By KEN PAULSON
First Amendment Center
A federal judge in Nevada is dissing editorial writers.
In a lawsuit filed by Righthaven, a Las Vegas company that specializes in suing alleged copyright infringers on the web, Judge Philip Pro ruled that a 19-paragraph editorial from the Las Vegas Review Journal could be freely reposted in its entirety because the writing was not significantly creative.

During the weeks leading up to the most recent election, Harriman mayoral and city council candidates were asked their thoughts on having a city manager.
It is an issue that has long been debated in the town, but one whose time has come.
Harriman has, in recent years, taken a step forward with a city coordinator.
We believe more progress can be made when it advances to a full city manager — provided the city hires the right person.

By GENE POLICINSKI
First Amendment Center
The Pledge of Allegiance is a simple and clear way of expressing love of country.
It’s also a voluntary patriotic exercise — declared as such more than 50 years ago by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Still, some officials or legislatures periodically try to coerce others into reciting the Pledge. A recent attempt involves a Mississippi judge who jailed a lawyer who refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance last October at the start of a court session.

By CHARLES C. HAYNES
First Amendment Center
If only a fraction of the allegations are true, public school officials in Sumner County have been treating their school district like a missionary field for the Christian faith.
Nine students — who understandably wish to remain anonymous — have filed suit with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union seeking to end school promotion of religion.

By GENE POLICINSKI
First Amendment Center
More than 220 years ago, the nation’s founders — after gathering in Philadelphia to create the Declaration of Independence — risked life, liberty and property in fighting to create a new nation.
Admittedly, they never had to overcome the fear of being seen on Facebook.
Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., has banned most video and audio recording devices from his town-hall meetings.

Kingston is a wonderful place to walk if you just want to get exercise along the lakefront.
But if you ever find yourself trying to cross busy Kentucky Street on foot — watch out.
Last week a teenage girl was struck by a car as she was trying to do just that. While her injuries didn’t seem to be life-threatening, the accident could have been deadly.
Even at well-designated major intersections like Race Street at Kentucky Street, pedestrians are dangerously pitted against motorists.

Kingston is a wonderful place to walk if you just want to get exercise along the lakefront.
But if you ever find yourself trying to cross busy Kentucky Street on foot — watch out.
Last week a teenage girl was struck by a car as she was trying to do just that. While her injuries didn’t seem to be life-threatening, the accident could have been deadly.
Even at well-designated major intersections like Race Street at Kentucky Street, pedestrians are dangerously pitted against motorists.